Portable table or bench



All@ 27, 1963 1 E. PuGsLEY 3,101,682

PORTABLE TABLE OR BENCH Filed Jan. 2, 1962 f5 Si INVENTOR. L4M/@eure EliPz/@sl55 ldlh Patented Aug. 27, 1963 tice 3,101,682 PGRTABLE TABLE RBENCH Lawrence E. Pugsley, Box 656, RJR. l, Escondido, Calif. Filed dan.2, 1962, Ser. No. 163,493 @Claims (Cl. 10S-41) The present inventionrelates in general to ha table, bench, yor the like, capable lof beingcollapsed quickly and easily from 1an erected position or condition intoa Very compact, collapsed position or condition tfor portability orstorage. Since the invention is .particularly applicable to a soJcalledwork bench for use in home work shops, or the like, it will be referredto as such hereinafter for convenience. However, it will be understoodthat the invention may be used for other punposes without departing fromthe spirit thereof.

In general, the invention contemplates a portable work ybench whichincludes ya top, two legs positionable flat adjacent the lower side ofthe top when the bench is in its collapsed condition and connectible tothe top in upright positions to support the top when the bench is in itserected condition, and means for securing the legs to the top when thebench is in its erected condition, such means preferably beingreleasable so that the le-gs may be disengaged 4from the top.

The primary object of the invention is to provide combined carrying yandbracing means eng-ageable with the top and the legs in carrying relationwhen the bench is in its collapsed condition tfor carrying the top [andthe legs, and engage-able with the top and the legs in bracing relationwhen the bench is in its erected condition for bracing `the legsrelative to the top.

A more specific, rand import-ant, object of the invention is to providea combined carrying and bracing means which includes: a handle having asurface en'gageable with 1an edge of the top in the collapsed conditionof the bench and engageable with the lower side of the top in theerected condition :of the bench; two links respectively having endsrespectively pivotally connected to opposite ends olf the handle, theother ends of the links cornprising oppositely oriented hooks engageablein hooked relation with the opposite edge of the top and with the legsin the collapsed condition fof the bench, tand respectively engageablewith the legs in the erected condition of the bench; and latch meanscarried by the legs and engageable with the hooks, respectively, dorconnecting the hooks to the legs, respectively, in the erectedcondidition of the bench.

Another object tof the invention is to provide a portable Work bench lofthe foregoing nature wherein the securing means for connecting the legsto the top includes two leg bnarckets mounted on the lower side of thetop, 'and includes releasab-le means for disengageably connecting theupper ends of the vlegs to the leg bnackets, xrespectively, when thebench is in its erected condition,- the leg brackets having two pairs ofopposed recesses therein parallel to the top, and the recesses of each`of said pairs respectively receiving the upper and lower ends of one ofthe legs therein when the bench is in its collapsed condition.

Another object is to provide leg brackets having down-l bench |art inthe light of this disclosure, may be achieved with the exemplaryembodimentof the invention described in detail hereinafter andillustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the portable work bench of theinvention in its collapsible condition, FIG. l

vshowing the lower or under side of the top of the bench and showing thelegs of the bench in their carrying plositlons wherein they are disposeddat adjacent the lower side of the top;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along the arrowed line 2 2Iof FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is 'an enlarged, fragmentary sectional View taken along thearrowed line 3 3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view fof la combined carrying and bracing meanslod the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the portable work bench of theinvention in its erected condition;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3, butshowing the corresponding parts in the erected condition of the workbench;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary View, partially in section andpartially in elevation, taken as indicated by the anrowed line '7 7 ofFIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is 1an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken lalong thearrowed line 8 8 ofFlG. 7.

Referring to the drawing, the portable work bench of the invention whichis illustrated therein is designated generally by the numenal lll andincludes a top 12 having two leg brackets `14 secured to its undersideadjacent its ends, as by means `of screws, [or the like. The legbrackets 14- vareprovided with downwardly facing, socketlike recesses 16 therein for the upper ends of flat legs 18. l The upper ends of thelegs 18 are retained Within the recesses V16 in the erected condition ofthe bench 1li by means of screws Ztl threaded into the leg brackets 14and extending into sockets 22 in thel legs, the screws 20 being providedwith knobs 24.

When the bench 10 is in its erected condition, as shown in FlGS. 5 to Sof the drawing, the legs 18 are braced relative to the top 12 by acombined carrying and bracing means designated generally by the lnumeral36k As best shown in FIG. 4 of the drawing, the `carrying andbracingmeans 30 includesy a lhandle 32 having a dat surface 34 which isseated against the underside of the top 12, as bestshown in FIG. 5, whenlthe carrying and bracing means is used as a bracing means. The carryingand bracing means 30' includes two links 36 having ends 38 respectivelypivotally connected to the ends of the handle 32. Preferably, the ends3S of the links 361 are merely bent at right angles to rthe links andextend into and are journaled in openings in the ends of the handle.

The other `ends of the links 36 comprise oppositely oriented hooks lllwhich are connectible to the legs 181, adjacent the lower ends thereof,in the erected condition of the bench lll. As best shown in FIGS; 7 and8 of the drawing, the inner surfaces of the legs 18 are provided withrecesses 4?, receiving the books it? ltherein when the bench lll is inits erected condition. The invention provides two readily releasablelatch means d4 respectively carried by the legs 18 and respectivelyengageable with the hooks dit to connect the carrying and bracing means30 to the legs 1S in the erected condition of the bench 10. Each latchmeans d4 is shown as comprising simply a bolt 46 reciprooable in anopening '48 in the correspond- -ing leg 18 and biased by means of'acompression spring 50 into a bolt opening 52 in the corresponding hook4d. The -bolt `46 of each latch Imeans i4 is provided with a manuallygraspable head Sri disposed in a notch 56 in the corresponding leg. f

As will be apparent, when the hooks 411) are connected t'o the legs 13by the latch means 4K5, and when the flat surface B4 of the handle 321is .seated against the under side of the top 12, the legs 18 are lirrnlybraced relative to the top. The combined carrying and bracing means l30Vmay Vbe vdetachedreadily by withdrawing Ithe bolts 46 arene-sa of thetwo latch means `from the ibolt openings 52 in the hooks dil.

The leg brackets 14 are provided adjacent the under side of the top l2with two :pairs of opposed recesses 58 parallel to the top, the tworecesses of each pair respectively receiving therein the upper and lowerends of one of the legs llS. The legs i8 are slidable laterally of thetop 12 into and out of the recesses 53 of the respectivel pairs. Whenthe legs li8 are in place in the recesses 58, one of the legs lies flatagainst the under side of the top lll, and the other is parallel to therst leg, and to the top, but is spaced slightly from such first leg.

In order to utilize the combined carrying and bracing means 3@ as acarrying means, the links 36 are slipped over the top l2 and the legs18, after the legs have been placed in the recesses S8, with one orr thelinks 36: adjacent the upper surface of the top, and with the the otherof the links adjacent the leg i3 yfarthest from the top. In other words,the links 36 embrace the top 12 and the two legs 18 therebetween. Also,as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the oppositely oriented hooksd@ are hooked over one edge of the top 12 and over the adjacent edgesI'of the legs i8. At the same time, the flat surface 34 of the lhandle32 is in engagement with the opposite edge of the the top l2. With thisconstruction, the top l2 and the Itwo legs i8 are firmly supported bythe carrying and bracing means 3d in a stable manner for easy manualtransportation of the bench fill.

In order to collapse the bench lil into its portable condition, it .ismerely necessary to release the two latch means 434, loosen the screws2G to permit disengagement of the legs 18` from the leg brackets i4,insert the legs 18 into the recesses 58, and slip the combined carryingand bracing means Sill over the top l2 and the legs 18 into the positionshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. In order to set the bench lil upat the desired location, the foregoing steps are merely reversed.

Thus, the invention provides a portable work bench which is readilycollapsed and set up, which occupies a minimum of space when collapsed,which is extremely steady in its erected condition, and which requires aminimum number of parts due to the dual function performed by thecombined carrying and bracing means 3G.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been describedherein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that variouschanges, modilications and substitutions may be incorporated in suchembodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as delinedby the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. In a collapsible, portable table, the combination of:

(a) a top; f

(b) legs positionable adjacent the lower side of said top when saidtable is in a collapsed condition, and connectible to the lower side ofsaid top in upright positions to support said top when said table is inan erected condition;

(c) means for securing said legsl to the lower side of said top whensaid table is in said erected condition;

(d) combined carrying and bracing means engage/able with md embracingsaid top and said legs in carrying relation when said table is in saidcollapsed condition for carrying said top and said legs, and engageablewith said top and said legs in bracing relation when said-table is insaid erected condition for bracing said legs relative to said top;

(e) said combined carrying and lbracing means including a handle hav-inga surface engageable with an edge of said top in said collapsedcondition of said table and engageable with the lower side of said topin said erected condition of said table;

(f) said combined carrying and bracing means including two linksrespectively having ends respectively pivotally connected yto oppositeends of said handle, the other ends of said links comprising oppositelyoriented hooks engagea'ole in hooked relation with the opposite edge ofsaid top and with said legs in said collapsed condition of said table,and respectively engageable with said legs in said erected condition ofsaid table; and

(g) means for connecting said hooks to said legs, respectively, in saiderected condition of said table.

2. In a collapsible, portable table, the combination of:

(a) a t0n;

(b) legs positionable adjacent the lower Iside of said top when saidtable is in a collapsed condition, `and connectible to the lower side ofsaid top in upright positions to support said top when said table is inan erected condition;

(c) means for securing said legs to the lower side of said top when saidtable is in said erected condition;

`(d) combined carrying and .bracing means engageable with and embracingsaid -top and lsaid legs in carrying yrelation when said table is insaid collapsed condition for carrying `said top and said legs, andengageable with said top and said ,legs in bracing relation when saidtable is in said erected condition for bracing said legs relative tosaid top;

y(e) said combined carrying and bracing means including a handle havingya surface engageable with an edge of said top in said collapsedcondition of said table and engageable with the lower side `of said topin said erected condition of said table;

(f) said combined carrying and bracing means including two linksrespectively having ends respectively pivotally connected to oppositeends of 'said handle, the other ends iof said links comprisingoppositely oriented hooks engageable in hooked rel-ation with theopposite edge `of said top and with said legs in lsaid collapsedcondition of said table, and respectively engageable with said legs insaid erected condition `of said table; and

g) latch means carried by said legs and engageable with said hooks,respectively, for connecting said hooks to said legs, respectively, insaid erected condition of said table.

3. In a collapsible, portable table, the combination of:

(a) a top; t

(b) two flat legs positionable at .adjacent the lower side of said topwhen said ytable is in a collapsed condition, and connectible to thelower side of said top in upright positions to support `said top when:said table is in an erected condition;

(c) means for securing upper ends of said legs to the lower side of saidtop when 4said table is'in said erected condition;

(d) said securing means including two leg brackets mounted on the lowerside of said top, and including releasable means for disengageablyconnecting the upper ends of said legs to said leg brackets,respectively, when said table is in said erected condition;

(e) said leg brackets having two pairs of opposed p recesses thereinparallel to said top, the recesses of each of said pairs respectivelyreceiving the upper and lower ends of one of said legs therein when saidtable is in `said collapsed condition; and

(f) combined carrying and bracing means engageable with said top Iandsaid legs in carrying relation when said table is in said collapsedcondition for carrying said top and said legs, land engageable with saidtop and said legs in bracing relation when said table is in said erectedcondition for bracing said legs relative to said top.

4. In a collapsible, portable table, the combination of:

(a) 'a for;

(b) two flat legs positionable. flat adjacent the lower side of said topwhen said table is in a collapsed condition, and connectible to thelower side of said top in upright positions to support said top whensaid table is in an erected condition;

(c) means for securing upper ends of said legs to the lower side of saidtop when said table is in said erected condition;

(d) :said securing means including two leg brackets mounted on the lowerside Aof said top and respectively having downwardly facing recessesreceiving the upper ends of said legs therein when said table is in saiderected condition, and including releasable means for disengageablyconnecting the upper ends of said legs to said leg brackets,respectively, when said table is in said erected condition;

(e) said leg brackets having two pairs of opposed recesses thereinparallel to `said top, the recesses of each of said pairs respectivelyreceiving the upper and lower ends of one of said legs therein when saidtable is in said collapsed condition; and

(f) combined carrying and bracing means engageab-le with said top and:said legs in carrying relation when ysaid table is in said collapsedcondition for carrying said top and said legs, and engageable with saidtop and said legs in bracing relation when said table is in said erectedcondition for bracing said legs relative to said top.

5. Ina collapsible, portable table, the combination of:

(a) a top;

(b) legs connected to said top in upright positions to support said topwhen said table -is -in an erected condition;

(c) said legs being positionable against said top when :said table is ina collapsed condition;

(d) combined` carry-ing and bracing lmeans for carrying said top `andsaid legs when said table is in said collapsed oondition, and forbracing said ilegs when said table is in said erected condition;

(e) lsaid combined carrying and bracing means including la handle andincluding two carrying and bracing links which have ends connected tosaid handle and which are of lengths to extend iacross said top and saidlegs when said table is in said collapsed condition, so as to locatesaid handle adjacent one edge of said top and the other ends of Saidlink-s adjacent the opposite edge of said top;

(f) said links having means at their other ends for supporting said topand 4said legs when said table is in said collapsed condition; n

(g) said other ends of lsaid links respectively being engageable withsaid legs in said erected condition of said table; and

(h) means `for connecting s-aid other ends of said links to said legs,respectively, in said erected condition of said table so as to brace'said legs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,110,748 Shiley Mar. 8, 1938 2,282,665 McCaslin May l2, 1942 2,673,774Prima Mar. 30, 1954 2,684,275 Guth et al. July 20, 1954

1. IN A COLLAPSIBLE, PORTABLE TABLE THE COMBINATION OF: (A) A TOP; (B)LEGS POSITIONABLE ADJACENT THE LOWER SIDE OF SAID TOP WHEN SAID TABLE ISIN A COLLAPSED CONDITION, AND CONNECTIBLE TO THE LOWER SIDE OF SAID TOPIN UPRIGHT POSITIONS TO SUPPORT SAID TOP WHEN SAID TABLE IS IN ANERECTED CONDITION; (C) MEANS FOR SECURING SAID LEGS TO THE LOWER SIDE OFSAID TOP WHEN SAID TABLE IS IN SAID ERECTED CONDITION; (D) COMBINEDCARRYING AND BRACING MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH AND EMBRACING SAID TOP ANDSAID LEGS IN CARRYING RELATION WHEN SAID TABLE IS IN SAID COLLAPSEDCONDITION FOR CARRYING SAID TOP AND SAID LEGS, AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAIDTOP AND SAID LEGS IN BRACING RELATION WHEN SAID TABLE IS IN SAID ERECTEDCONDITION FOR BRACING SAID LEGS RELATIVE TO SAID TOP; (E) SAID COMBINEDCARRYING AND BRACING MEANS INCLUDING A HANDLE HAVING A SURFACEENGAGEABLE WITH AN EDGE OF SAID TOP IN SAID COLLAPSED CONDITION OF SAIDTABLE AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE LOWER SIDE OF SAID TOP IN SAID ERECTEDCONDITION OF SAID TABLE; (F) SAID COMBINED CARRYING AND BRACING MEANSINCLUDING TWO LINKS RESPECTIVELY HAVING ENDS RESPECTIVELY PIVOTALLYCONNECTED TO OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID HANDLE, THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID LINKSCOMPRISING OPPOSITELY ORIENTED HOOKS ENGAGEABLE IN HOOKED RELATION WITHTHE OPPOSITE EDGES OF SAID TOP AND WITH SAID LEGS IN SAID COLLAPSEDCONDITION OF SAID TABLE, AND RESPECTIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LEGS INSAID ERECTED CONDITION OF SAID TABLE; AND (G) MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAIDHOOKS TO SAID LEGS; RESPECTIVELY, IN SAID ERECTED CONDITION OF SAIDTABLE.